Stunning! Detroit, Michigan, Senior Photographer

Isn't she gorgeous? No time for chit chat...I'm exhausted. Hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!

What an honor! Bloomfield Hills Children's Photographer

Today was a super exciting day for me!!!! I was featured as a guest photographer on the blah blah blahger blog for Photofanatic Friday. Jen Johnson is the mastermind behind this incredible blog and if you haven't checked it out...then you must do so now! She seems to be a jack of all trades...from tool talk (yes she knows how to use power tools...can you believe it?) to creating her own delicious recipes in the kitchen. Jen's blog will help you learn how to be a little more handy in the house, a little more adventurous in the kitchen, a little more creative behind the camera, and a little more apt to attempt decorating/renovation projects on your own. She's fab and her blog is fab...so if you want to be fab right along with her....then hop to it and go pay her visit! Oh yeah and did I mention that she takes pictures too....I told you guys...she does it all!

Jen...thanks for taking the time to interview me...it truly was an honor to be part of "Photofanatic Friday"!

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And the Lucky Mom is........

not so lucky. Jean is the mother of a 7 year old girl named Erin who is battling Cancer. Erin was diagnosed with Cancer on June 5th of 2006...after surgeries, and many rounds of radiation the Chaffee family thought Erin was out of the woods, however they received more horrific news the brain tumor had returned. If you would like to read more about their daily struggles you can click here to read an online journal that Jean has been keeping. Please log on to show them support and pray that they keep their faith in order to win this fight.

Below is the submission that I recieved for Jean.

Jennifer-
The Mom I am nominating is Jean. I have actually met her only 2 times, she is on my slow pitch old lady softball team. This Mom is very special and very strong. She was told in 2006 that her daughter has a brain tumor. Since 2006 they have been doing many rounds of radiation treatments and only find out that the tumor keeps growing. Most recently this past Monday they got some very bad news the tumor they removed in March has grown back. Now they are talking about the quality of life over the quantity of life. The thing that breaks my heart is Jean’s daughter is only 7 years old!
I would like Jean to be able to cherish the time she has left with her daughter. I think receiving these pictures would be the perfect gift for a such a desiring mother.
We all know that pictures are all people have sometimes to remember memories and the ones they love. Thank you, Sarah

I also attached a second submission from a girl named Julie. And for the record it gave me goosebumps and made me cry. Although I can only choose one winner I felt that Julie's submission was so beautifully written that everyone should get a chance to learn about what a wonderul woman her Mom is.

So here's a nomination for a woman who has never won a thing for being one of the most spectacular people who has ever lived since Jesus himself. It is probably because of the fact that she, literally, follows in his footsteps!

My mom is a woman after God's own heart and she doesn't need to tell you that for it to be clear. She is a person who embodies the definition of selflessness. She spends 4 days a week watching her grandchildren so her kids can work without paying childcare. She volunteers loyally at a pregnancy help clinic and is always looking for opportunities to help others through seasonal or special events. Her energy is focused outside herself; her time is shared attentively to those she loves and those in need and where her heart is her finances follow.

There isn't a Nonny on earth that could be more special to her grandkids. Several days a week my kids wake up and want to call her just to chat. They can't wait to share exciting things with her and spending time with her is ALWAYS first on their list if I ask, "what do you want to do today?" She is constantly seeking out activities and fun new adventures for us to go on and experience. She treasures her grandkids and they know that without a shadow of a doubt. I wish I could explain the love that bursts from sweet little 1 and 4 year old hearts for this special woman!

As a mother, she truly is my best friend. That is not cliché...it is truth. I call her several times a day, though she is just a short drive away. I miss her when she's not here and thoroughly enjoy our time together. She is always there for the good, the bad and the ugly. She worries to no end about everyone's well being and for that reason we are all always okay. There is no advice that I could get from anyone I know that would be more "sound" and perfect for what my family and I need. She knows the "ins" and "outs" of me better than I know myself. She's always there for every special moment and ready to embrace you when the "mom tears" begin to fall.

As an in-law to my husband, she'd never want it to be anything different than a blood relative would be. She never for a moment would let those who "marry-in" feel any less love or care than her own family. She has even taken my nieces and nephews from my husband's side of the family under her wing. She sees a need and she fills it. She has a great sensitivity within her like no-one I've ever met.

I will always and forever strive to be like my mother. I will never accomplish the kind of life she lives. She has set such an amazing example of what living life to it's fullest means. Her priorities reflect clearly what she values. She treasures her family, cares for those in need and Truly thinks of herself last. Others will always go before her. She will always take care of everyone before herself. She has set such an example for the generations to come. She will NEVER ever know how much she means to me. If all of us could be just a little bit more like her, the world TRULY would be a better place.

I love you lady. You are a beautiful person, a priceless friend and always and forever, my momma!

Julie

Thanks to everyone for participating. Become a follower on my blog and you will be first to know about upcoming, specials and contests that I will be running.

I Won!!!

Last week I decided to take part in a fun little Photo Contest called I heart faces. Last weeks category was "Hats"....I decided to play along with the main purpose of meeting new people, building friendships and to continue to be inspired by all of the amazing talent out there. I was so surprised to be Angie's favorite pick (Co-Founder of this wonderful little site). How Exciting!!! This Week the theme was laughter and the judge was the one, the only Ree Drummond...yes you heard right the famous Pioneer Woman. What an honor to have her select my picture as first place!!! Ironically...Kirstynn the girl featured in the middle of the picture is the one who told me about Ree over a year ago. She is a huge fan and then turned me into a huge fan. With all that being said I knew that this was the perfect picture to enter. Although it's not the most flattering picture it definitely shows the true side splitting laughter being shared between great friends. So Thanks Kirstynn for introducing me to the Pioneer Woman....it really made this win an honor and thanks to Kirstynn and Katie for the awesome times that we shared in Chicago...it was a trip that I'll never forget...I'll always be able to look back at it and laugh.

First Place....



Angie's favorite pick...

I've been published again!

Look on the cover of Livingston Mom's this week and the picture may look familiar to you. It just so happens to be the sunset silhouette picture that I took back in October in Siesta Key, Florida. Super exciting...so click here if you'd like to see the publication. And since I hate to post without a picture I'll leave you with this adorable pooch and it's adorably dressed human.

Happy Mother's Day and a Giveaway! Howell/Brighton Michigan Children's Photographer

Here is your chance to do something selfless by nominating an extraordinary Mom that you know. Maybe it's your Mom, maybe it's your Mother in law (I said maybe....I happen to love my mother in law :), Maybe it's your next door neighbor, or your sister. Send me an email telling me a little bit about this special person and why they should be the Mom chosen to receive a free session with me. If you're feeling torn and would like to nominate more than one Mom, well then that's O.K. too. Leave the decision up to me. As I read through the nominations I want to get teary eyed people...I want to get covered in Goosebumps. Once I make my decision I will post the winning nomination on my blog for all of you to read. The lucky Mom will receive one session with her children and an 8 x 10 of her choice. Submissions will no longer be accepted after Fri, May 15th Midnight! The winning submission will be posted on my blog Sunday, May 17th! So now the pressure is on....which Mom is it going to be? Good luck and I look forward to hearing about all of the wonderful Mom's out there!


*session must be completed at an agreed upon location.

My Sweet Darling/Howell, Mi Children's Photographer

No time for words, I'll let this one speak for itself.